2013 Goals

Over the Christmas period I have been doing an e-course on successfully building and running your own Dream Job in creative industries, courtesy of Red Velvet. I'm sure I have mentioned Red Velvet before, but for any that don't know, it is a small but successful vintage boutique, sweet shoppe and clothing label based in the US.

One of the pieces of advice they give in their e-course is to set yourself goals each year to give your self something to aim for, and incorporate the goals into your calender. I wanted to set myself some ambitious goals for the business and some personal goals as well, as we have to remember all work and no play makes me very dull. Over the last few weeks I have been having a good think about what these goals should be and I thought I would share them with you.

Of course setting yourself goals is no fun unless you have some kind of reward system - for the smaller more achievable goals I'm thinking a new book and for the bigger harder goals I buy myself a lovely new item of clothing. I really recommend setting some goals of your own as it can help keep you focused throughout the year. Some of my goals are a bit silly but I think it is important to have some silly thrown in as well.

Right, I had better get to work!
xx

New Item Friday

I am writing this very late whilst watching an episode of Doctor Who (I am mainly watching it for David Tennent but we don't tell the other half that!). Today was meant to be a productive day taking photos of items and posting them on etsy, but then it snowed!

So instead of having a productive morning I snuggled up watching the snow and drinking coffee. And then spent the afternoon walking around in the snow whilst trying to avoid my other half throwing snow at me.

But the guilt finally took over and I have spent my evening adding items, and a lovely selection I have for you.

Luckily I don't have any markets or plans for this weekend. I'm thinking more coffee and snow adventures are in order - would people laugh if they saw a 26 year old women on a baking tray (I don't have a sledge) sliding down the slopes with all the kids?
xx

Poppytalk

A new year and a new blog for you guys to follow. Poppytalk. With a great mix of interior design and crafty projects this blog has a great look and style to it.

All Images sourced from www.poppytalk.blogspot.co.uk

I might have to try out some of those projects for myself, and for anyone getting married the wedding posts are a great source of inspiration.
Enjoy.
xx

Foot Stools

I felt a little bit guilty yesterday about teasing you with my new gorgeous footstool. To compensate I have found some fab ones currently for sale. With winter looking set to stay for a while a comfy chair, blanket, cup of tea, good book and sturdy foot stool is a must.

1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6

xx

Put Up Your Feet!

So I am officially back up and running after Christmas holidays and Wedding extravaganza. It feels very weird not to have a side project whirling away in the back of my mind! My brain finally feels it has the space to do some stretching and slouching around (I realise that is a bit of a grouse visual but I assure you it is very happy in there).

The extra room has given me the opportunity to have a think about the business, plan my future goals and make some big realisations. 

1. The business has done really well this year. I have broken even and that is a great thing for my first year. I should feel proud and celebrate!
2. I need to push the business further. This means more markets, more advertising, and thinking of innovative ways to grow. Brainstorming time!
3. I need to get all the online stuff working in sync. Currently they are all separate and they need to be combined. I think my IT man (the new hubby) will be given that job!
4. I could not of got this far without my Mum! It sounds terrible to admit that I need my Mum but she has been such a positive influence, offered me support and been a great sounding board for ideas. Buy Mum some flowers!
5. I have also realised that I can not do it all on my own. I need the support network I have around me, and when I feel stressed out, I need to remember I can ask people for help, it does not make me a failure if I do.

The last point is a real eye opener for me! Generally, I am a 'if you want the job done, do it yourself' kind of person. To admit to myself that I need other peoples help is a big deal for me. I could not do this business without my other half keeping me fed and housed, my Dad being there for advice and my Mum being fantastic. One area that she has taken a lead is upholstery. My Mum has started an upholstery course, mainly for her own enjoyment, but also to help me with the business and one of the first things she has completed is this....

This footstool has been recovered by my Mum using vintage fabric we bought at a market. I got it home and placed it with my 1960s arm chair and the two have been inseparable ever since! 

I think it is appropriate that one of her first projects is kept in the family, I know that two seconds at any market and it would be snapped up! I think I owe myself a present for a very succesful year!

Thank you Mum for everything and here's to another great year!

xx

Wedding Mood Board: 1940s Shooting Party

I'm afraid there is no New Item this week as next week I am getting married! (and have been completely distracted with last minute arrangements.

I have planned the who thing myself and it is a rather quirky non-traditional wedding. I am extremely scared and worried that I have forgotten something important. We have 3 different venues - our ceremony in a beautiful town hall with a jazz music drinks reception, a high tea at our favourite intimate tea-rooms and live folk music and pie & mash at a fantastic country pub. It was basically all the things we love fitted into one day! Organising 3 venues has been tricky but more complicated is the shepherding of 80 people from one place to the other (even though they are all only 2 minutes walk from each other on the same High Street)! I thought I would share my wedding mood-board with you which has helped keep me focused on our vision.

When I first started planning my wedding I found a website called Snippet and Ink. It is a US site which gives fantastic mood-boards and inspiration for different wedding themes. I got very inspired! And I couldn't resist creating one of my own when we finally decided on our theme for the day. I say 'theme' but really a mood-board is to held focus the way you want your day to feel and look. We wanted a vintage traditional English shooting party feel with a few library themed element in the stationary. Brown and green are our main colours. The stag and pheasant are a running theme throughout the entire day and there will be lot of tweed!

I am keeping my fingers crossed everything goes ok! I will be silent the begining of next week but will share the results very soon.

Wish me luck!
xx

Treat Yourself to a Magazine Subscription!

January can be a very dull month....

I actually never find it dull as I got together with my other half in January so have our anniversary and my birthday is at the end of it. Plus, this year I am getting married in January!

...but I understand for the rest of you money tends to get a bit tight and there is not a huge amount to look forward to. My suggestion is, if you happen to have a little money left over from all the festivities, why not treat yourself to a magazine subscriptions. It means every month you get a little treat through the door, giving you a great opportunity to spend a little 'me' time reading with a cup of coffee.

Here are a few that have caught my eye.

Clockwise from Top Left:

1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6

xx